Upping my annual mileage 3 - Coast to coast
Discussion
So, with my plan to do a decent ride each month I looked at the weather forecast this weekend. Hmm - Sunday good, Saturday not so much. I did manage one ride out in July but only 79 miles. And I did do a short road trip with my youngest one weekend in the car (800+ miles to Glencoe (recce for a bike run), up Loch Ness & east coast bit of the NC500 to JoG and back), so we'll count Sunday's trip first of August as July's run, eh?
I had the idea of going coast to coast - North sea to Irish sea ending up somewhere in Cumbria probably.
Early Sunday morning I set off the few miles to nab a photo near me at Newbiggin where they have the statue 'Couple' out in the bay.
There was a North East MG club gathering there as IO arrived. Everything from MG TC through to MGTF there (and a Jag XK interloper). There was a nice little coupe at the end of the line - looked like a Midget/Sprite converted in a sixties style. Very nice it was.
Deciding to take my usual route west I set off towards the military road. Within 5 minutes it started raining, but I could see brighter sky's ahead - do I stop and put my waterproofs on or guess it'll stop in 5 mins and push on. Push on of course! It did stop after 5 mins, but only after the water seeped through the vent panels. Ho hum.
Now I normally turn off the military road towards Hexham or Corbridge but chose to carry straight on, following the Hadrians Wall tourist route signs. I must've done this road before towards Gilshead - I recognise the names of the Roman forts, but cannot remember going this way. Who would've thought a straight road could've been so enjoyable. I stopped at the side of the road at Housesteads for a quick picture.
I'll have to go back to these fort's sometime and have a good look around. There were a fair number of walkers following the Hadrian's Wall Walk - something else I'd like to complete some day (but probably never will). There were regular views of the remaining wall - as I say, I must've been this way as a kid but really couldn't remember seeing this.
After taking this photo I decided to follow my nose a little and just try and keep heading west.
I saw the signpost for Spadeadam - about 35 years ago I climbed Cheviot with the Army Cadets. While we were doing this we saw RAF jets flying along the valleys (below us). I was told later the RAF used these approaches during dummy bombing runs to Spadeadam. I don't know if this is correct or not, but many years later I was able to visit RAF Spadeadam and saw the concrete pads where the missiles were tested when Britain was developing it's own nuclear deterrent. I've spent a little bit of time in the Borders during the colder, wetter months, but it really must be a bit grim in the middle of winter out there.
Following my internal compass, I thought it wise to check my little map and try and recognise a place name. It must've given the farmer a laugh at the old bloke in one piece leathers and knee sliders crossing a ford on an old sports bike. Who needs an adventure bike anyway...
Anyway, back on track I arrived at the M6 junction after going through Longtown (A7) well before noon, so decided to push on a bit further - how about Stranraer on the A75 (I've mentioned doing this before). Thinking about this as I rode, I've done this road a number of times but don't think I've ridden it before on the bike (the bike always being on a trailer). This becomes a really nice road further west and either my memory's playing tricks on me (very possible) or they've removed the speed cameras (more on that later).
There were a couple of ferries leaving Cairnryan as I parked at the edge of the water.
We used to catch the ferry from Stranraer but I don't think they sail from here any longer. If we were getting the fast cat, that used to go from Cairnryan (I don't think that runs anymore either). I once had to catch the train up to Stranraer and remember the train pulled right up to the jetty, just to the right of this photo.
It is further than I remember, travelling the A75 to Stranraer - around 100miles. But having travelled so far it'd be rude not to go all the way to the Irish sea so a quick 6 mile run to Port Patrick was called for. What a lovely little place this turned out to be.
Unfortunately everyone else thought so too, and decided to pack the place out. I couldn't get to the main carpark either - unfortunately an old man had fallen down and banged his head and they were keeping a path clear to the car park for an ambulance. So a quick photo at the turn around place at the end of the road - must have been a good day for a ferry (the Irish sea wasn't always that calm when I caught the boat!).
Time to head back, I filled up just to the east of Stranraer. Then, just before the DVSA inspection site - 'That doesn't feel right'.
Bugger! The front tyre valve failed - that wasn't in the plan. With the RAC called I pushed the bike across the road to the layby I'd fortunately stopped opposite and waited. There's worse places to break down I suppose.
I didn't have to wait long for the guy to arrive (20 minutes perhaps), but this gave me enough time to look over the bike - the right foot peg is a little loose (but can't fall out) and I noticed the left mirror has become useless (years of folding the mirrors in mean it can't deal with the force of the wind any longer. Not that I'm going too fast of course...). I think I'll need to give the old girl a bit of love before the next long run.
Anyway, the RAC guy called a tyre repair guy who arrived 20/30 minutes after that. While waiting the RAC guy told me that he wasn't aware of speed cameras now on the A75, but that they do have regular purges on speeding using unmarked cars (and now a couple of bikes).
The tyre guy arrived and was able to break the bead, push the tyre over to get access to, and replace the valve before re-inflating the tyre. I was a bit dubious about this but after another 20 minutes I was (gingerly) back on my way.
Now as I was already later than I planned (to return), I decided to take another route back towards Dumfries. When I was travelling over to Northern Ireland I used to travel late at night (cheaper ferries) and remember the road being good to drive. I recognised to junction that I needed to take on the way to Stranraer - the road is the A712 through the Galloway forest. What a road this is! On that day, in that weather, to my mind that run was the equal of the A93 to Braemar.
I wasn't pushing too hard - some corners tighten up, some surfaces aren't brilliant, but some lovely flowing sections. I remembered there being a dam/reservoir - the headlights caught the dam wall, and sure enough there it was.
With time pressing on a bit, I decided to not hang around too much so headed back down the motorway back towards Carlisle, going past the airport and take the A69.back east. I took the turn off at Gilshead again to follow the wall back across country figuring it would be just as quick (straight line) and running parallel to the main A69 route - I'm glad I did. Going east it was possible to see more clearly parts of the wall that I recognise from numerous photos I've seen over the years, and spotted the site of the Sycamore gap.
Point to note - I wouldn't have stopped at this point for a photo if I hadn't been on the bike (that is, please don't stop in a car) but I do like this picture.
And what's more, I saw the little Midget coupe returning west.
I cut across country again back home (you might have heard me go past Marky911) and on getting home had covered over 400 miles - another decent days mileage.
The bikes now done just under 23500 miles - I'm aiming to hit 24k this year (1k for each year of age) and have now gone well past last years total mileage. I'm not too sure when my next ride will be - I've got a couple of busy weekends coming up and as mentioned I'll need to spend a bit of time on the bike to satisfy myself she's in good condition for these trips (she's probably in shock. I know my knee's are!).
Hope you're not all bored stiff by now.
Cheers.
I had the idea of going coast to coast - North sea to Irish sea ending up somewhere in Cumbria probably.
Early Sunday morning I set off the few miles to nab a photo near me at Newbiggin where they have the statue 'Couple' out in the bay.
There was a North East MG club gathering there as IO arrived. Everything from MG TC through to MGTF there (and a Jag XK interloper). There was a nice little coupe at the end of the line - looked like a Midget/Sprite converted in a sixties style. Very nice it was.
Deciding to take my usual route west I set off towards the military road. Within 5 minutes it started raining, but I could see brighter sky's ahead - do I stop and put my waterproofs on or guess it'll stop in 5 mins and push on. Push on of course! It did stop after 5 mins, but only after the water seeped through the vent panels. Ho hum.
Now I normally turn off the military road towards Hexham or Corbridge but chose to carry straight on, following the Hadrians Wall tourist route signs. I must've done this road before towards Gilshead - I recognise the names of the Roman forts, but cannot remember going this way. Who would've thought a straight road could've been so enjoyable. I stopped at the side of the road at Housesteads for a quick picture.
I'll have to go back to these fort's sometime and have a good look around. There were a fair number of walkers following the Hadrian's Wall Walk - something else I'd like to complete some day (but probably never will). There were regular views of the remaining wall - as I say, I must've been this way as a kid but really couldn't remember seeing this.
After taking this photo I decided to follow my nose a little and just try and keep heading west.
I saw the signpost for Spadeadam - about 35 years ago I climbed Cheviot with the Army Cadets. While we were doing this we saw RAF jets flying along the valleys (below us). I was told later the RAF used these approaches during dummy bombing runs to Spadeadam. I don't know if this is correct or not, but many years later I was able to visit RAF Spadeadam and saw the concrete pads where the missiles were tested when Britain was developing it's own nuclear deterrent. I've spent a little bit of time in the Borders during the colder, wetter months, but it really must be a bit grim in the middle of winter out there.
Following my internal compass, I thought it wise to check my little map and try and recognise a place name. It must've given the farmer a laugh at the old bloke in one piece leathers and knee sliders crossing a ford on an old sports bike. Who needs an adventure bike anyway...
Anyway, back on track I arrived at the M6 junction after going through Longtown (A7) well before noon, so decided to push on a bit further - how about Stranraer on the A75 (I've mentioned doing this before). Thinking about this as I rode, I've done this road a number of times but don't think I've ridden it before on the bike (the bike always being on a trailer). This becomes a really nice road further west and either my memory's playing tricks on me (very possible) or they've removed the speed cameras (more on that later).
There were a couple of ferries leaving Cairnryan as I parked at the edge of the water.
We used to catch the ferry from Stranraer but I don't think they sail from here any longer. If we were getting the fast cat, that used to go from Cairnryan (I don't think that runs anymore either). I once had to catch the train up to Stranraer and remember the train pulled right up to the jetty, just to the right of this photo.
It is further than I remember, travelling the A75 to Stranraer - around 100miles. But having travelled so far it'd be rude not to go all the way to the Irish sea so a quick 6 mile run to Port Patrick was called for. What a lovely little place this turned out to be.
Unfortunately everyone else thought so too, and decided to pack the place out. I couldn't get to the main carpark either - unfortunately an old man had fallen down and banged his head and they were keeping a path clear to the car park for an ambulance. So a quick photo at the turn around place at the end of the road - must have been a good day for a ferry (the Irish sea wasn't always that calm when I caught the boat!).
Time to head back, I filled up just to the east of Stranraer. Then, just before the DVSA inspection site - 'That doesn't feel right'.
Bugger! The front tyre valve failed - that wasn't in the plan. With the RAC called I pushed the bike across the road to the layby I'd fortunately stopped opposite and waited. There's worse places to break down I suppose.
I didn't have to wait long for the guy to arrive (20 minutes perhaps), but this gave me enough time to look over the bike - the right foot peg is a little loose (but can't fall out) and I noticed the left mirror has become useless (years of folding the mirrors in mean it can't deal with the force of the wind any longer. Not that I'm going too fast of course...). I think I'll need to give the old girl a bit of love before the next long run.
Anyway, the RAC guy called a tyre repair guy who arrived 20/30 minutes after that. While waiting the RAC guy told me that he wasn't aware of speed cameras now on the A75, but that they do have regular purges on speeding using unmarked cars (and now a couple of bikes).
The tyre guy arrived and was able to break the bead, push the tyre over to get access to, and replace the valve before re-inflating the tyre. I was a bit dubious about this but after another 20 minutes I was (gingerly) back on my way.
Now as I was already later than I planned (to return), I decided to take another route back towards Dumfries. When I was travelling over to Northern Ireland I used to travel late at night (cheaper ferries) and remember the road being good to drive. I recognised to junction that I needed to take on the way to Stranraer - the road is the A712 through the Galloway forest. What a road this is! On that day, in that weather, to my mind that run was the equal of the A93 to Braemar.
I wasn't pushing too hard - some corners tighten up, some surfaces aren't brilliant, but some lovely flowing sections. I remembered there being a dam/reservoir - the headlights caught the dam wall, and sure enough there it was.
With time pressing on a bit, I decided to not hang around too much so headed back down the motorway back towards Carlisle, going past the airport and take the A69.back east. I took the turn off at Gilshead again to follow the wall back across country figuring it would be just as quick (straight line) and running parallel to the main A69 route - I'm glad I did. Going east it was possible to see more clearly parts of the wall that I recognise from numerous photos I've seen over the years, and spotted the site of the Sycamore gap.
Point to note - I wouldn't have stopped at this point for a photo if I hadn't been on the bike (that is, please don't stop in a car) but I do like this picture.
And what's more, I saw the little Midget coupe returning west.
I cut across country again back home (you might have heard me go past Marky911) and on getting home had covered over 400 miles - another decent days mileage.
The bikes now done just under 23500 miles - I'm aiming to hit 24k this year (1k for each year of age) and have now gone well past last years total mileage. I'm not too sure when my next ride will be - I've got a couple of busy weekends coming up and as mentioned I'll need to spend a bit of time on the bike to satisfy myself she's in good condition for these trips (she's probably in shock. I know my knee's are!).
Hope you're not all bored stiff by now.
Cheers.
Edited by Cooper1999 on Monday 2nd August 19:55
Kudos again. That looks like another great day out! 
Ha, I may well have heard you go past as I was working in the garden most of the weekend. There are dozens of bikes come through though.
My dad is usually at those MG shows. He has a Midget and an MGB. He rebuilt both from bare shells.
I once got stranded at Stranraer.
I flew to Belfast on a Saturday morning to buy a 911. Got there and it was a dog so we had to board the ferry as foot passengers without the car. Got to Stranraer and everything was closed. A passerby said there was a car hire desk at the next terminal a mile up the road. Walked up there and went in but the shutter was down. Damn.
Luckily managed to get a bus north to Ayr, then 2 trains back to Morpeth.
Lying Irish scumbag that caused all that.
I think I’m going to have to take some inspiration and put some days aside for a decent ride. I’ve had two proper rides out since I bought my R1 in March. Pathetic.
Anyway another great write up and you can never have too many pics.
I’m glad your tyre valve didn’t stop play permanently. I once got a stone through my rad in the lakes and that was a right chew on. AA wouldn’t send recovery first. They had to send a small van to try and fix it. I told them unless they had a rad for an R1 there was no fixing it but they insisted. Then the first guy had to call for recovery. 2 hours before we headed for home. I’ve been with the RAC since although they may well have similarly stupid rule.
Anyway, I look forward to your next adventure. I’m not sure my wrists could take the sort of mileage you’re doing in a day. Fair play.
Ha, I may well have heard you go past as I was working in the garden most of the weekend. There are dozens of bikes come through though.
My dad is usually at those MG shows. He has a Midget and an MGB. He rebuilt both from bare shells.
I once got stranded at Stranraer.
I flew to Belfast on a Saturday morning to buy a 911. Got there and it was a dog so we had to board the ferry as foot passengers without the car. Got to Stranraer and everything was closed. A passerby said there was a car hire desk at the next terminal a mile up the road. Walked up there and went in but the shutter was down. Damn.
Luckily managed to get a bus north to Ayr, then 2 trains back to Morpeth.
Lying Irish scumbag that caused all that.
I think I’m going to have to take some inspiration and put some days aside for a decent ride. I’ve had two proper rides out since I bought my R1 in March. Pathetic.
Anyway another great write up and you can never have too many pics.
I’m glad your tyre valve didn’t stop play permanently. I once got a stone through my rad in the lakes and that was a right chew on. AA wouldn’t send recovery first. They had to send a small van to try and fix it. I told them unless they had a rad for an R1 there was no fixing it but they insisted. Then the first guy had to call for recovery. 2 hours before we headed for home. I’ve been with the RAC since although they may well have similarly stupid rule.
Anyway, I look forward to your next adventure. I’m not sure my wrists could take the sort of mileage you’re doing in a day. Fair play.
Edited by marky911 on Tuesday 17th August 05:05
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